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שָׁבוּעוֹת
Shavuot 5786
The Festival of Weeks
Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, falls exactly 50 days after Passover, marking the culmination of the Omer count. It is one of the three biblical pilgrimage festivals and celebrates two interconnected themes: the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel. According to tradition, the entire Jewish nation stood at Sinai and collectively received the Torah from God, making Shavuot the anniversary of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. The holiday is marked by all-night Torah study sessions (Tikkun Leil Shavuot), the reading of the Book of Ruth in synagogue, and the eating of dairy foods. Many synagogues are decorated with flowers and greenery, symbolizing the lush vegetation that miraculously bloomed on Mount Sinai when the Torah was given. In Israel, Shavuot is also associated with agricultural celebrations and the offering of first fruits (bikkurim).
Shavuot Traditions
How Jews observe Shavuot around the world.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an all-night Torah study session on the first evening of Shavuot
Reading the Book of Ruth in synagogue, which tells the story of a convert who embraced the Torah
Eating dairy foods throughout the holiday
Decorating the synagogue and home with flowers, plants, and greenery
Reading the Ten Commandments in synagogue as part of the Torah portion
Reciting Yizkor memorial prayers on the second day
Staying awake all night to 'repair' the tradition that the Israelites overslept on the morning of the giving of the Torah
Bikkurim (first fruits) celebrations, especially in Israeli agricultural communities
Shavuot Food Guide
Traditional foods and where to find them.
Cheesecake
The quintessential Shavuot dessert. New York-style, Israeli-style, no-bake, and layered cheesecakes appear at every Shavuot table. Kosher bakeries stock dozens of varieties leading up to the holiday.
Find nearbyBlintzes
Thin crepes filled with sweetened cheese (often farmer cheese or ricotta), pan-fried until golden, and served with sour cream, berry compote, or powdered sugar. A beloved Ashkenazi Shavuot classic.
Find nearbyDairy Meals
Shavuot is the holiday of dairy. Lasagna, quiches, cheese bourekas, pizza, mac and cheese, and creamy pasta dishes all make appearances at Shavuot meals alongside the traditional desserts.
Find nearbyMilk and Honey
The Torah describes the Land of Israel as 'a land flowing with milk and honey.' Dishes incorporating milk, cream, and honey are especially appropriate for Shavuot, connecting the holiday's themes of Torah and the Land.
Find nearbyKashrut Notes for Shavuot
Shavuot is a full Yom Tov; no work is permitted on the first day (first two days in the diaspora), observed like Shabbat with the allowance of cooking for same-day use
Dairy meals are the custom, but many families also serve a meat meal on Shavuot; if eating both, halachic separation of meat and dairy must be observed (separate dishes, waiting period between meals)
All dairy products must be kosher-certified, including cheeses, cream, butter, and milk
Chalav Yisrael (Jewish-supervised milk) is the standard for many communities; check local custom
Cheesecakes and blintzes from kosher bakeries and restaurants are widely available before Shavuot; order in advance as demand is high
Find Kosher Food for Shavuot
Browse certified kosher restaurants, bakeries, and caterers in your city.
Los Angeles
From Pico-Robertson to the Valley
New York City
The Kosher Capital of America
Miami
Sun, Sand, and Kosher Everything
Chicago
Deep Dish Meets Kosher Tradition
Brooklyn
The Heart of American Jewish Life
Lakewood
America's Fastest-Growing Kosher Hub
Teaneck
The Modern Orthodox Food Capital
Baltimore
Star-K Country — A Proud Kosher City
Philadelphia
From Rittenhouse to the Main Line
Houston
Texas-Sized Kosher Scene
Atlanta
Southern Hospitality Meets Kosher Cuisine
Dallas
Kosher in the Heart of Texas
San Diego
Kosher by the Coast
Denver
Mile-High Kosher Dining
Phoenix
Desert Oasis for Kosher Food
Boston
Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Detroit
Motor City's Kosher Scene
Cleveland
Heartland Kosher at Its Best
Seattle
Pacific Northwest Kosher
St. Louis
Gateway to Kosher
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Bay Area Kosher Culture
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The Nation's Kosher Capital
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Kosher Hits the Jackpot
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The Kosher Corridor — Teaneck to Lakewood
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South Florida's Kosher Hub
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Shavuot FAQs
Common questions about Shavuot 5786.
When is Shavuot 2026?
Shavuot 2026 begins at nightfall on Thursday, May 21, and is observed on Friday, May 22, and Shabbat, May 23, in the diaspora (one day, May 22, in Israel). The holiday concludes at nightfall on Saturday, May 23 (Sunday, May 24, in the diaspora).
Why do we eat dairy on Shavuot?
There are several explanations for the Shavuot dairy tradition. The most common is that when the Jews received the Torah at Sinai, they learned the laws of kosher slaughter for the first time. Since their existing dishes and cookware were not kosher, they ate dairy foods, which did not require special preparation. Another tradition links dairy to the verse describing the Torah as 'honey and milk under your tongue.' The gematria (numerical value) of the Hebrew word for milk (chalav) equals 40, corresponding to Moses' 40 days on Mount Sinai.
What is Shavuot?
Shavuot, meaning 'weeks,' is one of the three biblical pilgrimage festivals. It falls seven weeks (50 days) after Passover and celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is also an agricultural holiday marking the wheat harvest and the offering of first fruits (bikkurim) in the ancient Temple. The holiday is observed with prayer, Torah study, festive dairy meals, and the reading of the Book of Ruth.
What is Tikkun Leil Shavuot?
Tikkun Leil Shavuot is the custom of staying awake the entire first night of Shavuot engaged in Torah study. The tradition developed from a Midrash that says the Israelites overslept on the morning God was to give the Torah, and Moses had to wake them. To 'repair' (tikkun) this, Jews stay up all night studying Torah, Talmud, and mystical texts, then pray the morning service at sunrise.
Why is the Book of Ruth read on Shavuot?
The Book of Ruth is read on Shavuot for several reasons. Ruth was a Moabite convert who chose to embrace the Torah and the Jewish people, echoing the Jewish nation's acceptance of the Torah at Sinai. The story takes place during the barley and wheat harvests, matching Shavuot's agricultural theme. Additionally, King David, Ruth's great-grandson, was born and died on Shavuot according to tradition.
Is Shavuot a day off from work?
Shavuot is a full Yom Tov (biblical holiday), and Jewish law prohibits work on Shavuot just as on Shabbat, with the exception of cooking for the holiday itself. In Israel, the first day is a public holiday. In the diaspora, the first two days are observed as Yom Tov. Observant Jews do not work, drive, or use electronics on these days.
Read more about Shavuot
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